The NFL draft is basically the only sporting event that hasn’t completely shut down. Pro-days and visits have been canceled for prospects, but the NFL is adamant that the draft will go on as planned at the end of April. There are seemingly hundreds of mock drafts floating about, and we’ll do one here in a couple of weeks, but I wanted to do something a bit different.
I went through every team in the NFL and paired them with a draft prospect that would be perfect for their organization. I tried to stay away from obvious ones, like Chase Young to any team would be a perfect fit. I also didn’t include quarterbacks and stuck to positional players, quarterbacks will have their own time to shine before the draft.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Jordyn Brooks, Linebacker, Texas Tech
Brooks is an explosive linebacker with coverage ability. Buffalo has a mostly complete roster, especially with the trade for Stefon Diggs. Because of that trade the Bills don’t have a first round pick, but Brooks should be available on day two for them.
New England Patriots: Chase Claypool, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
The Patriots spent their first round pick last year on N’Keal Harry, a receiver from Arizona State. I’m a Harry believer, but New England still needs offensive weapons. They likely won’t go receiver in the first round for two drafts in a row, and Claypool is someone they can most likely get in the third. He’s a tall, long receiver who should be able to contribute right away for whoever is playing quarterback in Foxborough.
New York Jets: Cede Lamb, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
The Jets had maybe the worst receiving corps in the league last year, and then their best playmaker (Robby Anderson) went to Carolina in free agency. Sam Darnold needs someone, anyone really, if he’s going to develop into a top quarterback in the league. Lamb is at his best on screen plays where he can break tackles in space, or on deep routes where he can attack the ball. He’d be an immediate upgrade in New York.
Miami Dolphins: Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama
The Dolphins solidified their cornerbacks by resigning Xavien Howard, and signing Byron Jones away from Dallas in free agency. McKinney is an instinctive playmaker who can play single high or in the box. His slot coverage ability, though, is where Miami head coach Brian Flores can take advantage of McKinney’s versatility the most.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver, Clemson
I will go to my grave not understanding what Bill O’Brian was thinking when he traded away Deandre Hopkins. The Texans don’t even have a first round pick to show for it, but Higgins will most likely be available in the second round. Higgins is another tall, playmaking receiver who in a normal draft would likely be a first round pick (this is the deepest receiver class in years). Higgins would be a good fit next to Will Fuller and Randall Cobb, and also could develop into a number one receiver.
Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman, Wide Receiver, USC
The Colts don’t have a first round pick after they traded for Deforest Buckner, but they desperately need a second playmaker alongside T.Y. Hilton. Pittman is someone who should be there in the second round and would fit perfectly in Indianapolis. Pittman almost single handedly helped the Trojans beat then ranked #10 Utah with USC’s 4th string quarterback coming out of fall camp throwing to him. He’s 6’4” with massive hands and long arms. His playing style compliments Hilton perfectly, and Philip Rivers needs another weapon to throw to.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Cameron Dantzler, Cornerback, Mississippi State
The Jaguars need help at just about every position on the roster. With Jalen Ramsey being traded last season to the Rams and A.J. Bouye being traded to the Broncos this off season, cornerback is at Defcon Five level bad for Jacksonville. Dantzler is a versatile corner who tested poorly in the combine, especially in the forty yard dash (4.64). Because he won’t get the chance to redeem that time at Mississippi State’s pro-day he could fall to day two, allowing Jacksonville to fix other needs with their two first round picks and still getting a potential starter at cornerback.
Tennessee Titans: K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
The Titans signed edge defender Vic Beasley away from Atlanta in free agency, but still need to upgrade their pass rush. Chaisson is a smart defender with natural athletic ability. Chaisson can be an every down player, but at LSU only played off the edge. He might be able to rush from the interior defensive line, but we just didn’t get to see that at LSU.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: Lynn Bowden Jr., Wide Receiver, Kentucky
Bowden Jr. started out at receiver for Kentucky last season, but injuries forced him to finish out the year at quarterback. He didn’t win the Heisman, but imagine someone as dynamic as Bowden Jr. lined up next to Lamar, Mark Ingram, and Robert Griffin III in the Raven’s Heisman formation. He’s a playmaker the Ravens can grab maybe late day two, while addressing other needs with their first round pick.
Cincinnati Bengals: Denzel Mims, Wide Receiver, Baylor
The Bengals actually have a solid receiving corps, even with AJ Green being mostly hurt and/or possibly out the door in Cincinnati. You can never have too many playmakers though, and if Mims is available in early round two he’d be a great weapon to pair with hypothetical quarterback of the future Joe Burrow. Mims basically ran slants and go routes at Baylor, but proved at the Senior Bowl that he can run a complete NFL route tree. The gamble with Mims is that most of the translatable positive traits were shown at the Senior Bowl and not in Waco. He also has a high drop rate (12.9% per PFF) but he still has enough positives to help the Bengals have one of the deepest receiving corps in the league.
Cleveland Browns: Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
The Browns signed right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency, and Thomas is one of the few top tackles in the draft who played at left tackle last season. He’d be able to be an immediate starter protecting Baker Mayfield. Thomas has some technical issues to clean up, but with his strength and agility he should be a successful NFL player.
Pittsburgh Steelers: AJ Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
Pre combine Epenesa was projected to be maybe the best non-Chase Young edge defender in the draft. A less than ideal combine performance has dropped him to where he’ll likely slip to the second round. That works out for Pittsburgh who doesn’t have a first round pick (Minkah Fitzpatrick). Pittsburgh also doesn’t have a whole lot of needs, which could allow them to gamble on a quarterback or go best player available and hope that Epenesa is still on the board when they’re up.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Ruggs has been labeled a deep threat the same way quarterbacks are sometimes labeled as dual-threat players to mean that they don’t have a complete game. Ruggs is much more than a straight-line receiver, though. Because Alabama’s receiving corps is so stacked he doesn’t have the production that you look for in a first round receiver. But Ruggs’ athleticism and explosiveness make him a perfect compliment to Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton and second year quarterback Drew Lock.
Kansas City Chiefs: Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback, Utah
The Chiefs won the Superbowl with patchwork play (at best) from their cornerbacks. While it worked last season, it’s not exactly a long term recipe for success. Enter Johnson, a scheme versatile cornerback who is instinctive and physical. At Utah he mostly played press man coverage, but he can play off in zone as well. He might be off the board by the time Kansas City is drafting, but Johnson would be an immediate upgrade for the Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders: Kristian Fulton, Cornerback, LSU
The Raiders desperately need help in the secondary, really anywhere in the secondary. If one of the top three receivers (Lamb, Jeudy, Ruggs) are on the board at number twelve the Raiders will likely grab one of them, leaving their second first round pick (via the Bears) where they’ll likely address the secondary. Fulton was only the third best defensive back on his own team last year (Derek Stingley Jr., Grant Delpit) but if you play for LSU that doesn’t mean that much. Fulton can play in any scheme, and would be a day one impact starter for the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers: J.K. Dobbins, Running Back, Ohio State
Running back isn’t a need for the Chargers, but it’s a position where you wanna be taking shots on guys every year or two in the mid rounds of the draft. Dobbins likes to get upfield quickly every time he has the ball, he was a threat to score seemingly every time he touched the ball in Columbus. He has the ability to line up outside and be a threat, even though he’s a running back at heart. If the Chargers take care of other needs in the first two rounds, Dobbins could be a massive boost to a pretty complete roster.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: Grant Delpit, Safety, LSU
The Cowboys, like the Raiders, need help all over the secondary. After letting cornerback Byron Jones walk to the Dolphins replacing him with a first round cornerback would be ideal. If CJ Henderson (Florida) is gone by the time the Cowboys pick, and I think he will be, getting the best safety in the class isn’t the worst thing in the world. Delpit is going to miss some frustrating open field tackles. He has the best coverage ability of any safety in the draft, though. At LSU he lined up as a deep safety, slot cornerback, and box safety. His versatility is exactly what Dallas needs in the secondary to take advantage of their already talented roster.
New York Giants: Willie Gay Jr, Linebacker, Mississippi State
Gay had some minor off field issues that might push him back in the draft, which would allow him to be available for the Giants in the second or third round and let them address offensive tackle with their fourth overall pick. Gay is all over the field and plays exceptional coverage. Linebacker is a big need for the Giants, so grabbing a player as talented as Gay on day two would be a big win.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Reagor, Wide Receiver, TCU
The Eagles need cornerback help like Joe Exotic needs a new barber. With the addition of Darius Slay as a free agent, though, they can address receiver and still get a talented cornerback on day two. Reagor only (ONLY) ran a 4.47 forty yard dash at the NFL combine, but has been clocked at the low 4.3’s at TCU camps, and that’s the speed he plays with on the field. He’s exceptional at the catch point and adds punt return ability as well.
Washington Redskins: AJ Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson
Washington is almost locked into Chase Young in the first round. Cornerback is still their biggest need though, and Terrell is someone who will likely be available in the early second round for them. Terrell is a long physical corner who can play press man or off ball. His scheme versatility will allow him to push to start on Ron Rivera’s new defense in Washington.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: CJ Henderson, Cornerback, Florida
Henderson is the clear cut second best cornerback in the draft. He’s another scheme versatile cornerback, but best suited for the Seattle style press man/cover three scheme. That’s what head coach Dan Quinn runs in Atlanta, and Henderson can hopefully help the underperforming Falcons ramp up the defense.
Carolina Panthers: Brandon Aiyuk, Wide Receiver, Arizona State
Christian McCaffrey does absolutely everything for Carolina’s offense right now. The Panthers just signed themselves up for four more years of the McCaffrey show (at $16 million a year). If Carolina wants McCaffrey to be walking upright by the end of that contract, they’re going to need to get him some help. Aiyuk is a JUCO transfer who only had one year of major production at Arizona State, but boy did he blow up last year. He’s explosive with the ball in his hands, is tough to tackle, and adds value in the return game. He’ll need to develop his route tree, but would be a great addition to the McCaffrey show in Carolina.
New Orleans Saints: Kenneth Murray, Linebacker, Oklahoma
For a team with Jalen Hurts, Cede Lamb, and seemingly five highlight type running backs, Kenneth Murray popped off the screen more than any other Sooner last season. The guy was literally everywhere for Oklahoma’s defense. He’s explosive enough to blow up blockers and fast enough to cover sideline to sideline. At times he’s a bit too explosive for his own good and will overrun the ball carrier at times. He plays linebacker like a puppy in all the best ways, his energy and passion jump off the screen every time he plays. Murray in the late first round would be an immediate upgrade for one of the few positions that isn’t a strength for New Orleans.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Running Back, LSU
Edwards-Helaire is the best receiving back in the draft class. Head coach Bruce Arians and the Buccaneers personnel are built to attack down the field. Tom Brady still has the arm strength to do that, but adding Edwards-Helaire would allow Brady to have a weapon out of the backfield that he’s seemingly always had in New England. Edwards-Helaire is the perfect way to blend Arian’s down field philosophy and Brady’s short passing attack as a pseudo run game.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, LSU
The Bears don’t have a first round pick this year, courtesy of Khalil Mack. The Bears secondary went from one of the best in the league a couple of years ago, to some question marks anchored by Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson. The secondary absolutely needs to be addressed, but if Jefferson is still on the board by the time the Bears pick head coach Matt Nagy cannot pass on him. Mitch Trubisky needs another playmaker besides Allen Robinson, and Jefferson is another first round talent who could slip due to the receiver depth in this draft.
Detroit Lions: Julian Okwara, Edge, Notre Dame
Like Washington is all but locked into Chase Young in the first round, the Lions are essentially locked into his teammate Jeff Okudah with their first round pick. Edge is still a need for Detroit, though, and Okwara is a pass rushing specialist who they could grab in the second round. Julian’s brother Romeo is also currently on the Lions roster, which doesn’t have anything to do with the player/team fit but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Green Bay Packers: KJ Hamler, Wide Receiver, Penn State
We can basically copy and paste from the Chicago Bears write up about needing another weapon. Other than Davante Adams the Packers receiving corps doesn’t have a lot going for it. Aaron Rodgers isn’t done yet, but he’s on the back half of his career to say the least. Hamler isn’t going to be the number one guy, but can be a vertical weapon to take pressure off of Adams and give Rodgers another receiver who can get open.
Minnesota Vikings: Bryce Hall, Cornerback, Virginia
Hall excels in press man coverage, and is instinctive enough to read both the quarterback and the receiver when in off coverage. His length allows him to lock receivers up at the line of scrimmage and make up for his lack of speed at times as well. Minnesota has the best safety duo in the NFL, and playing behind them would allow Hall to play aggressive at the line of scrimmage and bet on his instincts.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Elliot, Defensive Tackle, Missouri
The Cardinals don’t have a second round pick which is where they’d likely be able to grab Elliot, so this would involve trading out of the eighth overall pick most likely. Hypothetically, if they move from eight to anywhere in the fourteen-twenty range they’ll be able to grab a quality starting offensive tackle and Elliot with a late first or second round pick. Elliot moved around the entire defensive line for Missouri. He’s tall, long, and can bully offensive lineman when he gets going. Defensive tackle isn’t the biggest need for Arizona, but it’s still a red flag position. Coming away from the draft with an offensive lineman and Elliot would be the best case scenario for the Cardinals.
Los Angeles Rams: Zach Baun, Linebacker, Wisconsin
The Rams don’t have a first round pick in this year's draft after trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey last season. Edge isn’t the most pressing need in 2020, but it’s a position that could be a major need within a couple of years. Baun is someone who could be available in the second round when the Rams pick, and would be able to add immediate help at pass rush. He also showed the ability to drop into coverage, but did so sparingly and will need more coverage reps in the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers: Ezra Cleveland, Offensive Tackle, Boise State
Like the Cardinals, this would involve the 49ers trading one of their two first round picks to add some picks on day two (San Francisco currently doesn’t have a draft pick in rounds two through four). Cleveland is maybe the best athlete out of any tackle in the draft, and absolutely blew up the NFL combine. Tackle isn’t a 2020 need for the 49ers, but current left tackle Joe Staley is thirty five and having his replacement already in house wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Seattle Seahawks: Trevon Diggs, Cornerback, Alabama
No team in the NFL has a type more than the Seahawks have a type for cornerbacks. Diggs, the younger brother of Bills receiver Stefon Diggs, looks like a player Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll created in a lab. Diggs plays like a mix between Richard Sherman and Josh Norman. He was a receiver in high school before switching to defense at Alabama. He locks up receivers in press coverage, and has a clear understanding of both offensive and defensive football, which shows up in his play.
-By Jake Cowden